‘The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments has forged a reputation for being one of our finest exponents of early music. They enchant and amaze in equal measure.' The Musician'Anyone who has experienced an SSAI performance can testify as to the impressive visual and aural spectacle that they produce, and their vibrant, carefree virtuosity was as enthralling as ever.' Early Music Today

'There can be no more satisfying and diverting performers of early music than the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments.' The Arts Diary'What the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments have concocted in ‘Sound House’ is a wondrous journey through a realm of unimaginable sonic possibilities; travel with them, and I guarantee that you will never think of sound in the same way again.' Early Music Today

The Longest Nightexplores the Scandinavian traditions around mid-winter and Lussinatten (The Longest Night) and the light and the dark of this special time of year. Our new CD includes traditional Norwegian songs associated with Lussinatten, St Lucia's day and Christmas, Hardanger fiddle tunes, Irish jigs and reels, Playford dances and an ancient troubadour Alba or dawn song. The performers are award-winning Norwegian Hardanger fiddle player and singer, Benedicte Maurseth, SSAI’s director, Clare Salaman, and harpist, Jean Kelly, playing an array of beautiful and unusual instruments - Hardanger fiddles, Swedish nyckelharpa, and clàrsach (celtic harp).

Although Francis Bacon, 17th century philosopher, statesman and visionary, is widely regarded as the father of modern science, his investigations into the nature of sound are little known. Sound House explores some of the seemingly magical and musical phenomena that Bacon sought to explain. Playing some extraordinary instruments, including the bray harp and the little known viola bastarda, The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments will present music of the 17th century alongside newly composed pieces, exploring astonishing aural effects and illusions that so intrigued our 17th century forbears. READ MORE

We think of the publicity stunt as peculiar to our age but the antics of Will Kemp, a shameless self-publicist and one of the leading actors in Shakespeare’s company, prove otherwise. In 1600 he danced his way from London to Norwich in nine days, entertaining an adoring public en route. The Society of Strange and Ancient instruments, with dancer, Steven Player, celebrate Will Kemp’s account of the journey, ‘Nine Daies Wonder’, with raucous dance tunes and more refined music of the Elizabethan age. They breathe new life into this celebrated event, which remains awe-inspiring 400 years on, and still has the power to delight, baffle and amuse.Nine Daies Wonder TRAILER

Player’s dancing was sublime as he switched from serene galliard or graceful pavane to kickabout jig.The Times 4 stars‘The incredible joy in the room was palpable.’
Nick Wells, Director of The Bury Festival

The best sort of early music concert: a strong thematic concept with a splendid mix of less and more well-known music on an interesting array of instruments – and there was something for everyone. Early Music ReviewThe musical backing for his journey was provided by four musicians, masters in their field of ancient music, with beautiful vocals from Jeremy Avis and harmonious sounds from the ancient instruments.Bury Free Press

The Ministry of AngelsIn this programme we explore music associated with angels, the maverick and fallen as well as the divine and perfect. Playing some of the instruments that appear in descriptions and depictions of angels through the ages, as well as other strange and ethereal sounding instruments, we present traditional tunes, dances, songs and carols in a celebration of these heavenly creatures. READ MORE

La Société des Instruments AnciensA recreation of a concert given by our predecessors, La Société des Instruments Anciens, who gave a series of historical performances in the Salon Pleyel in Paris in the years around 1900. We play the instruments used in the original programme - hurdy gurdy, viola d'amore, viola da gamba and harpsichord - in a programme of old favourites and fascinating oddities from the 18th century. READ MORE